Airship



sept. 22, 1931.

IRSHIP J. BRAUNWALDER Filed Jan. so. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l @HSE d@ al/BY /gf IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

sept 22, 1931- J. BRAUNwALDx-:R 1,823,875

INVENTOR.

A T TORNEYS.

SePf- 22, 1931. .1. BRAUNWALDER 1,823,875

AIRSHIP FledJan. 50. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 l WW A TTORNEYS.

Sept. 22, 1931. J. BRAUNWALDER 1,823,875

AIRSHIP Filed Jan. 50, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 A TTORNE YS.

JNVENTOR.

Sept. 22, 1931. J. BRAuNwALDER 1,823,875

AIRSHIP Filed Jan. 50. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 22, 1931 f UNITED-- STATES.

` JOHN `.niamnsznvarmEn, on LosfANeELEs, CALIFORNIA Artisan Appneatmnmea'iaiiuary 3o, 192s. serial no. 335,189.

An object oi my invention is to :create anairship that will provide a`greater'measnre of safety inits use and operation than has heretoforebeen accomplished by simi'- 455 lar devices. 't

v Another object of my invention is to pro-v vide an airship that isable `to rise or descend vertically in air. v A` further object of myinvention is to 3:3 provide an airsliip that can remainst'ationary inair at any desired elevation, or turn about in any direction ofthecompass as desired.

Another object of myinvention is to provide an airship with means thatwill enable sameto'rise 'from or vdescend on land or water, ormove abouton same at the direcf tion ot the operator.

.Another objectof my invention is to prof vide means for self-adjustmentof the op'-` erating devices of the yairship tolovercome' in arttheeffect of various air currents,

to obtain the maximum stability andcon-x venience in travel. y.

devices shown in the illustrations in lwhich Fig. V10i? Sheet 1represents a plan View,

and Fig. 2 of Sheet 1 represents a side ele' tion on line 5--5 on Fig.2, Sheet 1.

Fig. 6 of Sheet 2 lis a plan section on lineI 6--6 on Fig. v5.

, Fig. 7 of Sheet 3 is a longitudinal section iw on line 7-7 on Fig. 1of Sheet 1.

Fig. 8 of Sheet '3 is a plan section on linejS-#S on FigQ?.

Fig. 9 of Sheet 3'is a section on line 9-9 on Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 of Sheet y4 is` an enlarged section on line 10-10 on Fig. 2,Sheet 1'.

"Fig: 11 of Sheet 4 is an enlarged lsection on line 11-11 on Fig. 2,Sheet 1. y

Fig. 120i Sheet 4; is a section on line i 12412 on Fig. 8,`Sheet 3. f

.l attain these and other objects bythe Fig. 5 of Sheet 2 .is anenlarged cross sec- Fig. 13 of Sheet fis an enlarged detail section online 13-13 on Fig. 5, Sheet 2.

f Fig.V 14 of Sheet 5l is a section on line 14-14 on Fig. `13 andFig."15 shows a 'section on linele-l on Fi 13.

Referring to Fig 1, of Sheet 1, A represents an approximatelyhorizontally disposed n underneath the cabin D.

vDoors d 1 provide means of entrance and exit, and windows d2 providemeans for Vplane A isshown mounted above the side planes Band Crespectively, on the standards Vnl `3, and is secured laterally theretoby the diagonal braces d 4, the upper end of which is `secured to theintersection of the 4 standards ci 3 and the frame bars a 1 of thecentral plane A, while the lower end thereof secured approximatelymidway to separator bars d 5 Whose ends are secured to the frame bar b land c 1 respectively of the side planes B and C.

Carrier bars-d 6 and d 7 extend downwardlyfrom the frame bars b 1 and c1 respectively to the roof d 8 of` the vcabin D and extend downward tothe floor joists d 9 to which they are suitably secured for lifting andcarrying purposes. f

Diagonal braces d 10 extend downwardly from the frame bars a 2 of thecentral plane A, `to the longitudinal frame bars d 11 of the cabin D.`The side planes B and C are held in a relativ-efiposition to thecentral' plane Aby means of the braces a 3 which extend from the iframebars a l of the central plane A to the longitudinal frame bars b 2 and c2 respectively of the side planes B and'C, while the stay bars CZ 12 andd 13 similarl 1 hold their position with respect to the ca in D, beingsuitably secured at their upper end to the frame bars b 2 and c 2respectively and at their lower end to the floor oists CZ 9. A pluralityof pressure fans K, provided with the impeller 7c 1, which is secured tothe impeller shaft k2, are suitably secured to the underside of thecentral plane A as shown in plan View in F ig. 6 of the Sheet 2.

Referring to F ig. 7 Sheet 3, which shows a longitudinal section of theforward and operating end of the cabin D, and the central plane A, theillustration shows a pair of internal combustion engines L suitablyconnected toa drive shaft L 1 of a gear box L 2, which contains thegearsL` 3, shown dotted, and the pinion L 4, alsoV shown dotted. Thegears L 3 are secured tc the inner end of the drive shafts L 1, whilethe pinion L 4 is attached to the lower end of the impeller shaft 7c 2,thereby supplying` means for driving the shaft 7a2 and the iinpeller 1.

An intake pipe if; "3, secured to the upper side of the pressure fan K,is preferably formed in the shape of an elbow, with its intake if: 4directed longitudinally towards the forward end of the airship and abovethe tcp surface a 5 of the central plane A A discharge pipe Z3 5 issuitably connected to the pressure fan K, and extends longitudinallybeneath the central plane A..

A number of branch pipes K 6, K 7, K 8, K 9, and K 10, branch off fromksaid discharge pipe K 5 and connect each individually with thehollowcasing M, which comprises the static elem-ent of turbine units as shownin enlarged details in Figures 13T14-15 on Sheet y5. c

The casing M is provided with concave sides m 1, whose central edges m 2are suitably attached to the outerring m 3 of a ball bearing m 4, whichis suitably mounted on a hollow drive shaft m 5. A plurality of ports m6 are cut radially and with suitabley angularity in the convexsides m 1.Rightand left hand rotors m 7 are secured. tothe ,hollow drive shaft m 5by means of bolts/m 8 and are provided with vanes m 9 ofvsuitableangularity and contour. Y

Referring to F ig. 6, Sheet 2, the drive shaft m 5 extends throughbearings m 10 which are suitably secured to the standards d 3, and hasattachedV to its ends the propeller fans m 11 and m 12, whose vanes, m13 and m 14 respectively, are mounted with opposite angularity. Y

vA'butterly valve lo 11 is rotatably mounted infthe discharge pipe la 5on the trunnion shaft 7c 12 which passes through suitable bearings k 13and has .secured to one end thereof the operating bar le 14.

Referring to Fig. 7, Sheet 3, wires lc 15 and k 15 a `are shown attachedto the ends of the operating bar I@ 14 and'` extend down through theroof Z 8 of the cabin D and over suitable pulleys 7c 16 to the controlWheel la 17 which is pivotally mounted on a pin lc 18 and is providedwith a suitable operating handle lo 19 and a pointer 7c 20.

Near the forward end of cabin D is located an internal combustion engineN which is adapted to drive through a suitable coupling n 1, a driveshaft n 2, which is supported near its outer end in a bearing n 3, whichis mounted' in the bracket n' 4, which extends forwardly from the cabinD and to which it is suitably secured.

A bevel gear 'n 5, secured to the end of the drive shaft a 2 is adaptedto mesh with a similar bevel gear n 6, which is secured to the lower endof the shaft nl 7, which is adapted to rotate in bearings n 8 and a 9 ofthe tubular supporting member n 10, which is rotatably mounted in thebearing cup n 11 of'vv the bracket n 4. Secured to the upper endof thesupporting member' a 10 is a propeller gear casing a 12, which isprovided with the mounted a propeller shaft n 15.

A bevel gear a 16 secured to the upper end of the drive shaft n 7 isadapted to engage with asimilar bevel gear n 17 which bearings a 13 andn 14 in which is rotatably is mounted on and-secured tothe propelleriThe tractor propeller G is suitably mounted on, and secured to thepropeller shaft n 15. 1

A tubular pivot shaft n 18 is secured tof!! the upper portion of theygear casing n V12 and is stayed thereto bythe braces n 19. Similarbraces n 20 extend downwardly from the gear casing n 12 to the lower endof the supporting member n 10,'to which they* are suitably secured forstaying purposes.

Y The up-per end of the pivot shaft n 18 is adaptedto form a pivot pin n21 which is rotatably mounted in the bearing d 12, which is suitablysecured to the frame members member fl 16. The cross bar l 17 issuitably.

braced 'to the forward end of the cabin D by the members d 19, d 2O andthe diagonal braces 21 and 122. Suitably mounted'on the inside of thecabin D is an operating wheel n" 22, which has secured thereto achainwheel n 23,'--which is adaptedy to-drive an upper chainwheel n 24by. means of the chainbelt n 25.Y

The upper chain wheel n 24 issecured to one end of a shaft n 25 a whichis rotatably Amounted in fa hearing 71,526, nWhile the other end of saidshaft n 2 5 nhasfattached thereto a `bevel earn 2.7 which is adapted 'tomesh with the bevel pinion n 28, which is secured to the end of ashaftfn`29 which is rotatably mounted in rbearingnl). y e

The other end :of shaft n `.29 `has secured .thereto :the 'universal:joint L31,:Wfhich connects -fto a wormshaft n 3.2, `which is :rotatablymounted hearings n y.3.3, n 34 .and n .35..

.A worm n 36 is suitablyrnoimtedon shaftn 32 and is adapted to mesh Witha :Worm Wheel .n .33., 'which is secured to the upper end of the Pinotshaft .n 118, thereby forming means .to rotate ,said .pivot `shaft n 18with .the :attached .propeller gear .casing n 12 and propeller 'G in :ahorizontal direction.v

.A .sheave Wheel .n .34 a is mounted immechattelyv -rbelow the wormWheeln 313 `on .the pivot shaft u 18 and ,adapted to operate theindicator belt .n 35 a, which is suitably mounted over said sheaveavheel n 34 a and an indicator sheavc Wheel n .36 a..

AOn .the inside of :the cabin D is located in a .suitable 'position :theindicator dial n kk37' which is provided `with suitable markings orgraduations.

'An indicator .n.38 is attached vto the end of a shaft n .39 which Iisrotatably mounted in the central portion of .the .dial .n 37 .and hasattached to .the farther .end thereof the indicator shea-ve Wheel .n 36:by Which-the indicator n 38 is operated to indicate kthe relativeposition .of 4the tractor propeller G With respect to the longitudinaltaxis of the cabin D.

In F ig. 3, :Sheet 1,;the .dotted position of the V:propeller aGcorresponds lwith .the .dotted position of the indicator n 38, .as shownin 12, .Sheet 4.

'Braces cl 23 are suitably :connected to .the cabin D `and to theextended Vend of .bracket n l4 to hold same in relative alignment Withthe cabin D..

As the propeller H at :the rear .end of the cabin D is provided withidentical detail parte vand mechanism :as the mechanism and mounting ofthe forward propeller Gr, a duplicate description of same is omitted butsuch parts as .are `shown .and are identical Will be enumeratedsimilarly and .are con.- sidered alike.

A .slight difference in the directional operating mechanism is requiredto bring the operating devices tothe forward end Aof the cabin D :and isaccomplished by :placing the Worm shaft n 32 :parallel with the axis of.the cabin D .and .extending its functions te .the forward tend thereof'by .connecting an angularity .shaft n 4@ tothe .universal joint n 39,which is `att-ached :to said Wormshaft n 32 and to 1a universal joint n41, which is attached to `the longitudinal shaft n 42, which is suitablymounted in bearings n 43 and n 44. v A

.ed to be operated by the Vchain 4.belt n V54,

Which connects said chain Wheel w53 .opera tively to the chain Wheel n55, Which `is secured to '.a rotatably mounted yoperating 'wheel n.56..

. The vindicator belt n 35 'Z9 vof the rear .pro-

peller equipment v.entends to the forward .end

of cabin D and is suitably mounted over :the

lsheave Wheel u 57., which is attached to vthe endof .an yindicatorshaft n .58, which is rotatably mounted in the bearing n .59 and hasattached'to the other .end thereof the indicak tor n 60, which iscentrally mounted Within .the dial n, 61. Means Vare thus provided toindicate tothe operator the relative position `of :the rear propeller H.

In Fig; 10, Sheet 4, is shown a preferred method of mounting theremovable pontoons P and Q, Which are shown connected .to each otherbythe bolt p .1, which passes through lugs p .2 and p3 vof Vthe pontoonsP and@ respectively. Lugs p 4 are secured to the upper surfaces .of thepontoons P and Q and are provided kwith seats p 5, which form a supportfor the lugsL p 6. which are suitably secured to the underside of thecabin'D.

Bolt p 7 extends through the lugs p 4 .and p 6 andthus forms means forsecuring the pontoons P and Q to the cabin D.

Seats S or other suitable equipment may be installed in ythe availablespaces in the cabin D.

To make travel Aon roadways possible the cabin D is Vprovided near 'theforward end on the underside .thereof With a pair .of tires F and at therear end and underside thereof With .the tires E. rThese tires aremounted A0n Wheels f 1, which are adapted to rotate on the steeringyokes f 2, Which latter are rotatably cnounted in the steering forks f.3 of the aXle Suitable frames f 5 and 6 are supported on said axle f 4While the upper end thereof is attached to a Stringer f 7, which issecured to Steering arms 7 9 connect with the transverse ings f 13 and f14 and is provided at the upper. endthereof with a suitable steeringhandle f 1.5 .1

`YTb place .this airship in operation, the butterflyvalves k 11 arefirstclosed by moving the control handles lo 19 to the left as indi'-cated in the dotted position thereof as shown Vin Fig. 7 Sheet 3.

The engines L are then brought into full running operation,-which willcause a static air pressure to accumulate in the fan K and its dischargepipe la 5. i

As shown in `the illustration, a suitable .number ofrotors are connectedwith the discharge pipe/f,l V5 between the butterfly valve 11 and thefan and these are set in motion by the developed air pressure whichcauses the compressed air'to flow through the ports m 6 which thereafterimpinges on the vanes m V9 of the rotors m 7 which in turn rotate theshaft m 5 and the propellers m 11 and m 12.

These propellers will draw air from above the plane surfaces B and Ccreating a reduced air pressure thereon and by forcing said airunderneath the planes A, B and C will create an increased air Vpressureunderneath same, thereby causing a lifting pressure on said planes.

As the butterfly valves 7c 11 are opened, an increased number of rotorsare set in motion and as the lifting force is thereby increased to thepoint where it exceeds, the forces of gravity exerted on the airship,same will rise upwardly.

The forward and rear tractor propeller are next brought into operationby the start-V ing of the engines N.V Suitable directional position isthen given these tractor propellers by rotating the operating wheels n22 and n 56.

lVhen suliicient elevation is attained, the butterfly valves 7c 11 arepartially closedor the airpressure developed by the fans K may bereduced by the partial slowing up of the speed of the engines L.

. Forward or rear incidence of the airship may be obtained by suitablemanipulation of the control handles lc 19 and thereby utilizing attainedforward speed in altering or nliaintaining the desired elevation of theairs np.

In lowering the airship to the earths surface, forward speed is firstreduced to a desired degree by slowing the engines N and reversing theposition of the rear propeller H and if required by wind conditions alsothe forward propeller Gr, then closing the butteri'ly valves c 11 asstated, which will cause a very gradual lowering in elevation of theairship due to the parachute effectof the comparatively large planesurfaces. In descending, the air underneath the plane surfaces is forcedtowards the central aXis of the airship by the curvature of the 'sideplanes B and C and is there greatly resisted from an upward `flow by theopposing forces of the rotating propellers m 11 and m 12 and the exhaustofthe rotors which drive same.- s Whenlandingonthe ground, the'front andrear wheels inay be suitably steered for desired traveling, usin theengines vN- and the tractor propellers and G for the required power. i

Vhen .landing onwater, the steering may beaccomplished by suitablemanipulation of he operating wheels n 56 and n 22.

Having thus described my invention and its mode of operation, I prefernot to be limited to the exact form of devices shown, but what I claimbroadly as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In an airship, a central plane surface longitudinally disposed, aplurality of side planes extending parallel to, and outwardly and belowsaid central plane surface, means for creating opposing'air currentsfrom above said side planes to the under side of said ccntral planesurface, to create an increased static air pressure thereunder.

2. In an airship, a central plane surface longitudinally disposed', aplurality of side planes extending parallel to and outwardly and belowsaid central plane surface, a plu rality of fans adapted to createopposing air currents from above said side planes, towards and undersaid central plane surface, and means for controllable operation of saidfans.

3. In an airship having a central planezand a plurality of side planeslongitudinally disposed, a'primary means for creating a lifting power onsaid planes comprising a` plurality of fans adapted to draw air fromabove said central plane and f discharging said air throughkregenerative .powerV devices at the underside of said central plane,said regenerative powerdevices adapted to operate fans comprisingasecondary means for creating lifting power. y

Ll. In an airship having al central plane and a plurality of side planeslongitudinally disposed, a. primary means for creating a lifting poweronsaid planes comprising a plurality of pressure fans adapted to drawair from above saidcentral plane, regenerative power devices adapted tobe operated by the air discharged from said'pressure fans, a. pluralityof fans adapted -to be drivenby said regenerative power devices andadapted to draw air from above said side planes and to discharge saidair from opposite sides underneath said central plane, and means forcontrolling the operation of said regenerative power devices. f

5. InY an airship having a central plane longitudinally disposed,.and aplurality of side planes extending parallel to, and below said centralplane, means for creating a flow of air around said side planes Vvatright angle to the `central longitudinal axis of said airship, inwardlyfrom above said side planes and outwardly below said sid-e planes, tocreate a lifting pressure thereon, means for con,- trolling said flow ofair and meansfoi directional propulsion. i

6. In an airship, a central plane longitudinally disposed, side planesextending parallel to and below said central plane, said side plan-esprovided with a downward curve towards the outer edge thereof, means forcreating a circulatory flow of air around said side planes at rightangles to the central longitudinal axis of said airship, inwardly aboveand outwardly below said side planes, means means for controlling saidflow o-f air on por-l tions of said side planes, and means fordirectional propulsion.

S. In an airship, a central plane, a plurality of side planes, aplurality of fans adapted to create a reduced air pressure above saidcentral plane, a series of rotors adapted to be operated by the airpressure created by said fans, a series of fans adapted to be operatedby said rotors and adapted to create areduced air pressure above saidplanes and an increased air pressure below said planes, for the purposeof creating a lifting force on said planes.

9. In an airship, the combination of a central plane surface, aplurality of side planes, means for creating a circulatory flow of airaround said side planes at right angles to the longitudinal axis of saidairship, segregated means for controlling said flow of air on portionsof said side planes, a cabin adapted for carrying passengers andmerchandize, means for directional propulsion and means for rolling andsteering said airship when on the ground.

10. In an airship, a'central plane surface longitudinally disposed withrespect to the central axis of the airship, said plane surface formedconvex upwardly over the central portion thereof, said central planemounted by suitable framing above and to a cabin forming the body ofsaid airship, a pair of side planes extending parallel to and below saidcentral plane surface and securely mounted to said framing at the inneredge of said side planes, the outer portion of said side planes providedwith a downward curvature and-suitably braced to said cabin and to saidcentral plane, means for creating a circulatory flow of air around saidside planes comprising pairs of fans mounted rolatably between the outeredges of the centralplane surface and the inner edges of the sideplanes, said fans adapted to be driven simultaneously on acomindnsliaftfand arranged to drive a cur# rent of air-',-towardseachother for the purpose of creating Aan increased static airpressureunderneath said central plane.` p '11n In vn airship, a centralplanelongitudinally disposed, a pluralitylfof .side planes extending jarallel` to said central `planeQFai cabinfsuitablylattached to saidplanes, a plurality of pressure fans adapted to draw air from above saidcentral plane, a discharge pipe leading from each of said pressure fansto a series of rotors, said rotors adaptedto operate fans adapted todrave7 air from above said side planes, means for controllingthe'foperation thereof, means for driving said pressure fans, and meansfor directional propulsion.

12, In an airship having a central plane surface longitudinallydisposed, a plurality of side planes extending parallel thereto andoutwardly and below said central plane, means for creating a circulatoryflow of air around said side planes at right angle to the longitudinalaxis ofthe airship, a cabin longitudinally disposed under said central iplane, an elongated roof on said cabin projecting beyond either end ofsaid cabin and adapted to form the upper support for a rotatable pivotshaft of a directional tractor propeller, a bearing secured to the endof said cabin forming the lower support for said pivot shaft, means foroperating said tractor propeller, means for rotating said pivot shaftand means for indicating the rotation thereof within the cabin.

13. In an airship having a central plane surface longitudinallydisposed, a plurality of side planes extending parallel to and outwardlyand below said central plane surship on land and means for floatingsaidv ship on water.

14. In an airship, suitable plane` surfaces adapted to support saidairship above the earths surface, means for creating a lifting force onsaid plane surfaces comprising a power-generating unit adapted tooperate the impeller of .a pressure fan, an intake toy said fanextending above said plane surfaces, a discharge pipe adapted totransmit a supply of air under pressure from said fan to a series ofrotors, each of said rotors adapted to drive a pair of propeller fans,said propeller fans adapted to draw air from they upper side of saidplane surfaces and adapted to discharge same to the lower face andsuitable framing to support said :1,95

side thereof, a vbuiterfiy valve suitably secured to the discharge pipeof said pressure fan, and means for operating said butterfly valve. v vY Inytestimony whereof, I hereunto aiX my signature.

JOHN BRAUNWALDER.

